Psalm 40

Yesterday, driving home from church, tuned in to my favourite radio station and hoping to catch a ‘T.D Jakes’  ‘The Potters house’ message, I listened to the morning call in show to pass the time till ‘The Potters House’ message came on.  I think a lady had just gotten off the phone. It was her birthday and she’d been married for a long time (didn’t catch how long exactly), and had been trying for a child for almost as long to no avail. Her husband was giving her a tough time, and even though the day was still young, she had resigned herself to the fact that she wasn’t going to have a good birthday.

A guy called in with a word for her, saying the Spirit had impressed it on his heart to tell her to pray Psalm 40.

I wasn’t in the best of moods either, been stressed out and weighted down for a while, so didn’t think twice about praying it myself. It wasn’t instant relief, but I know I did feel a sense of comfort the first time I read/ prayed it.

Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened—
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.

14 May all who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
"The Lord is great!"

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
you are my God, do not delay.